Compression sprayer



May 28, 1963 v. s.T1DD 3,091,372

con/[PRESSION SPRAYER Filed oct. 27. 19Go 2 sheets-sheet 1 ein May 28, 1963 v. s. TlDD coMPREssIoN SPRAYER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 27, 1960 United States Patent O Ohio Filed Oct. 2.7, 1960, Ser. No. 65,403 11 Claims. (Cl. 222-401) The present invention relates to an -apparatus for spraying insecticides, pesticides, agricultural chemicals, whitewash, paints Iand other sprayable solutions contained in a rellable tank and especially to a compression sprayer having novel sealing means for effectively sealing against leakage of air pressure generated in the tank by the intermittent operation of a pump, Iand for the positive release of entrapped air pressure when spraying has been concluded or the spray solution ybecomes exhausted and the tank requires refilling.

The present invention comprehends novel rneans for the positive sealing of a detachable pump assembly in a compression sprayer capable of continuously dispensing a spray solution over a substantial period o-f time by means of air pressure generated in the spray tank by the pump, and in the novel means for and manner of breaking the seal and relieving the air pressure when spraying has been completed or the spray solution has become exhausted preparatory to removing the pump Vand refilling the tank.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel resilient sealing grommet encompassing the discharge tube which passes through Ian opening in the tank and permits the passage of the spray solution from the tank and to provide a positive inner seal about 'the tube under the influence of 'air pressure in the tank.

This novel grommet provides a positive seal about the encompassed discharge ytube and an inner seal about the drain opening of the tank with the air pressure in the tank lifting the grommet into effective sealing contact, and when pressure in the tank is to be relieved this is easily and readily accomplished by merely pressing down on the elevated grommet to release its sealing engagement and permitting the escape of air.

The present invention further comprehends a sealing grommet -so constructed and designed as to be vertically movable in its mounting in the head of the tank and functioning not only as a positive seal but also as a pressure relief valve and as a means for draining the tank of its contents.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of a novel self-sealing gasket encompassing an inner ange or constriction in the cupped head of the tank `defining the fill opening and having sealing contact with an external ange on the pump cylinder and also with the interior of the head 'of the tank, thereby effecting a positive inner seal. In this novel construction and manner of mounting of the resilient gasket, the gasket is self-sealing with the air pressure in the tank enforcing its sealing effect.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a novel cam-locking means for locking and sealing the pump assembly in the tank, said cam-locking means being constructed and arranged whereby the pump assembly cannot be forcibly dislodged or removed until the seal between the pump and the tank is broken and any entrapped air pressure in the tank is relieved. To prevent such forcible dislodgement which may result in injury to the operator or other damage, the novel camming means on the cupped locking member or cam plate of the pump cylinder is provided with alternate vertically and circumferentially `spaced flanges having the dual 2 function of (l) locking the pump and sealing gasket in sealing contact with the .internal flange defining the fill opening of the tank, and (2) preventing removal of the pump assembly until the air pressure in the tank is relieved.

The present invention further comprehends the provision of a novel tank or container for the spray solution in which the head or depressed upper end of the tank completely eliminates the need of a funnel or the like for -lilling the tank. In this novel embodiment, the concaved head of the tank is provided with an embossment or elevated portion having a fiat surface or horizontal ledge provided with a drain opening in which is mounted the resilient grommet through which projects the discharge tube.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a side elevational view of the novel compression sprayer but with the lower portion of the tank broken away to show the base construction.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the assembly with the spray hose and pump handle broken away as in FIG. 3, the pump assembly being in released position preparatory to removal.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view through the upper portion of the sprayer taken on the irregular line 3 3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of the gasket shown in FIG. 3 for sealing the upper end of the pump barrel in the lill opening of the tank.

FIG. 5 is a yfragmentary top plan view of the pump vassembly and head of the tank shown -in FIGS. 2 and 3 but with the camming means on the pump rotated to locked and sealing engagement and with the projections `on the pump handle moved to released position permitting pumping operation.

FIG. 6 is another fragmentary top plan view similar to FIG. 5 but with the camming means being moved by the handle counter-clockwise toward release position in which the air pressure is relieved.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the locking clipwhich is clamped or aflixed to the head of the tank and defines its fill opening.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of FIG. 7 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the cam plate or cupped locking member which is affixed to thev upper end of the pump cylinder and forms part of the pump assembly.

FIG. 10l is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the disclosure in the drawings in lwhich is yshown .an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the novel compression sprayer comprises a tank 10 for containing a quantity of spray solution to be dispensed under pressure generated by a pump assembly 11 through a flexible -discharge tube 12 having its lower end projecting ro adjacent the bottom or 'base 13 of the tank. This tube 12 is preferably of a suitable length of flexible plastic composition and to the other end of which is aflix'ed a metal or rigid extension -tube 14 having an adjustable spray nozzle 15 at its end. The discharge of spray s'olution is controlled by .a manual-operated valve 16.

The tank lis provided with a dished or concaved head 17 in the lower portion of which is provided a till `opening 18 receiving the pump assembly 11. As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the Vfill opening is defined by an annular flange 19 which is bent over and securely anchors in place the inturned annular flange 21 of a locking` clip 272 ('FIGS. 7 and= 8). This locking; clip 22 is provided with three equally spaced, upstanding,arcuateprojections 23 each. formed with. anintumed and inclinedY fiange 24 terminating at 'oneend ina depending. lip 25 providing a stop.

A cam plate. or cam. locking, member 26 is provided with a` cupped base.. 2,7. press-fitted and. seated upon a peripheral flange 2K8. andd retained in theupper end of a puri-np.y cylinder 2.9. Thiscupped base is provided with spaced arcuatev slots 3Q4 each. PIOVided intermediate its length with aconnecting radial notch 31, and with a cen. trally disposed opening 32 conformably receiving a plunger rod.33 to the upper, end of which is affixed a handle 3 4 and to the lower end of which is affixed a plunger cup 35. The handle 34 is provided with outwardly anddownwardly. projecting opposed legs 36.each having an outwardly projecting end 37V.

A resilient gasket 38, conformedas shown in FIGS. 3 andl 4 with anV annularoutwardly-opening groove-39, is mounted on the annular fiange19 defining the fill-opening 18 of the tank. The upper flange -41A of the gasket is of greater thickness .than the lower flange 42, and isprovided with an annular offsetor shoulder 43ffor receiving and retaining the external peripheral flange 28 on the upper end of the pump cylinder 29; The upper flange 41 is also provided with an inwardly. projecting, tapered annular lip 44 adapted' to seat below and seal against the underside of the flange V28. The lower flange 42 ofthe gasket 38S is tapered outwardly andnpwardly to provide a sealing lip 45 seatingand sealingl against the underside of the annular flange 19 on the head 17. of the tank 10.-

As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the gasket 38,- seals both against theinner surface of the headv 17 and against the external flange 28 on the pump cylinder 29 Iby the sealing lips 44 and 45; As sealing is effected or augmented by the,.air. pressure in the tank, 'the invention `thus comprehends a novel self-sealing action in whichthe greater the air pressure. in the4 tank the tighter. the seal.

The cam. platev 26 is; provided with uniformly spaced camming members 46 having:interr up ted threads 47 and an upper. inclined camming surface 48, and intermediate laterally projecting` flanges. 49 disposed alternately with the :camming Vmembers- 4.6.

When the sprayer is to.. be; made ready for operation, withrthe. pump assembly 11l removed asuitable quantity ofsprayA solutionis ponredinto the dished upper end or head 17 of the tank 10. The cylinder 29 of the pump assembly. 1-1 is then inserted'into. the till opening 18 until its carrrplate, -26zabuts the. upper surface ofthe inclined flanges 24 of the locking clip 22 on the tank. Then the opera-tor properly aligns and depresses the handle 34 against a.coil spring 51:encompassing.thegplunger rod, to locate the opposed legs 36 andradial ends 37 depending from the` handle. inregistry, with the radial' notches 31.

Afteruthe, radialends. 37 enter these notches the handle 34 is turned in a clockwise direction until the legs .36 abut the*V end 52' of the arcuate .slots 3 0; after which funther turning of. the. handle clockwise carries along thev cam plate 26iand pumpassembly 11, with theconformation of the inclined flanges/24 of the locking clip 22 and theinclinedA threads :47 onthe camming members 4 6, directing the. inclined camming-surfaces 48'on the cam plate under the inclined'flanges or complementary camming surfaces 24. Thiscammingaction forcibly presses, the laterally projecting -flanges 49. downwardly upon theupper surface ofthe sealing. gasket 38 toieffect sealing. Rotation in a'- clockwise-direction ofthe cam. plate 26 and its.camming members 46 is limi-tedby the depending stops 25 on the locking clip22.

A novel pressure' sealing grommet 53 is located in an opening, S4in the upper surface of an embossment or elevated Portion 55 on the head 17 of the tank. This grommet encompasses the discharge tube 12 and provides not only a mostV effective inner seal about' the disch-arge tube and aft the interior of the tank, but also provides a simple and effective means for relieving pressure in the tank and also means for draining any remaining spray solution from the tank.

The elongated grommet 53 is provided with a longitudinal bore through which thedischarge tube 12 is inserted to the desired depth in the tank or removed when required. At its' upper and outer end the grommet has a collar 56 provided with circurnferentially spaced dependingprojections 57 disposed above the flat upper surfaceSS of-the embossment 55 and spaced therefromwhen the sealing grommety 53 is subjected' to the air pressure in the tank.v Below the collar'SG-and its spaced projections 57, the shank 59 ofthe grommet is reduced and then tapered downwardly and outwardly tov an annular shoulder or. ledge 61 and therebelow tapered or inclined inwardly and downwardly at 62 and at its lower end forming a relatively thin sealing lip at 633."

To assure most effective sealing under pressure between the grommet `53 .andl the dischargetube 12 as well as between the grommet and theopening in the upper surface 58 of the embossment 55,A but a relatively small amount of air pressure in the tank will lift the grommet andV compress its tapered base into tight sealing contact between thev grommet and the tank. Likewise, air `under pressure effects tighter sealing betweenthe grommet and the discharge tube 12. l

When the exposed portion of the grommet 53 is pressed down against the upper surface 58 of the embossment 55, it func-tions as a pressure release valve for relieving air pressure in the tank. It alsoperrn-its the operator to drain the tank of any Vremaining |spray` solution which could not be drained'througll the fill opening in view of the shape of the head 17 While the operator can quickly release and relieve any air pressure entrapped'in the tank by depressing the sealing grommet as above described, thev novel cam locking means or cam plate on the pump assembly, is so designed and constructed that the pump assembly cannot be dislodged or removed until sealing contact between 'the tank and the pump cylinder has been broken and the air pressure relieved. l'

Tfiiscam plate' has a dual function: (1) the alternate laterallyr projecting'flanges 49 seat upon and compress the sealing gasket V38`,.andl(2)` the inclined camming surfaces 48 on the upper ends of` fthe alternate camming members 46, provide cam locking'means. The lower flanges are so arranged as to move under the yinclined camming flanges Z4 of the locking clip 22 so'that as the pump assembly is elevated bythe air pressure when the seal is broken, `the latter cannot be dislodged. l

Thus, when the pump is to bere'moved, the handle 34 is depressed`to locate its legs 36 and projecting ends 37 in the slots 30 and'notches 31. Then rotating vthe handle in a counterclockwise direction disposes the legs.` 36 against the end 52a of' the arcuateslots 3G (FIG. 6) whereby further rotation ofthe handle turns the cam plate 26, breaks the seal by the gasket 38y and relieves any remaining pressure in the tank.

Having thus disclosedv the invention, I claim:

1. A compression sprayer having a tank for containing a spray solution to be dispensed'and a Vpump for generating air pressure in the tank, -a discharge tube projecting through an opening in the head of the tank to adjacent tliebottornof the tank, anda grommetfor effectively sealing the discharge tube inthe tank and so constructed and arranged as to provide an inner seal within and subjected to the airV pressure in the tank, said grommet having an elongated body portion provided with a longitudinal internal'bore conformably receiving and retaining the discharge tube and a downwardly and outwardly tapered external surface for effecting ltight sealing engagement with the encompassing portion of the head ofthe tank defining said opening when subjected to the air pressure in the tank.

2. A compression sprayer as set forth in claim 1, in which the head of the tank is provided with an embossment providing an elevated ledge containing the opening and the sealing grommet projecting ythrough said opening into the interior of the tank, said grommet being vertically movable in said opening and Iadjusted by the pressure in the tank.

3. A compression sprayer as set forth in claim `2, in which the sealing effect of said grommet is augmented by the air pressure in the tank which elevates the grommet into tight sealing contact with the interior of the embossment, and means on said grommet above said embossment adapted to be depressed to break the seal and relieve the air pressure in the tank.

4. A compression sprayer having a tank for containing a spray solution with a fill opening in the top of the tank `defined by yan annular flange, a pump assembly including a pump cylinder received in sai-d fill opening and removable for filling lthe tank, a sealing gasket mounted on said annular flange, and cam locking means for locking Isaid pump cylinder and gasket in said fill opening, said cylinder having la peripheral ange at its upper end seated upon said gasket and Isaid gasket having a lip in sealing contact with the flange of the pump cylinder and a lip in sealing contact with Ithe interior of the tank about said flange.

5. A compression sprayer having a tank for a spray solution and provided with ya concaved head having a ll opening and an annular flange defining said opening, a pump assembly including a pump cylinder received in said ll opening and removable for filling the tank with spray solution, a sealing gasket mounted on said annular flange, said cylinder having a peripheral flange at its upper end mounted upon the adjacent surface of said gasket, and cam dock-ing means for detachably securing said pump assembly in the fill opening and sealing the tank against leakage of air pressure generated by the pump assembly, -said cam locking means comprising a locking clip laffixed to said annular ange and having spaced Camming surfaces and a cam plate affixed to the pump Cylinder and having complementary spaced camming surfaces rotatable into pressure contact with the camming surfaces on said locking clip and alternate =lateral projections movable into pressure contact with said gasket for retaining said gasket in sealing relation between said tank and pump cylinder.

6. A compression sprayer as set forth in claim 5, in which said sealing gasket is provided with an external groove for comformably receiving and retaining therein the annular ange defining the iill opening whereby said gasket seals both against the cylinder of the pump and against the interior of the head of said tank.

7. A compression sprayer as set forth in claim 5, in which said gasket has a sealing lip in icontaet with the pump cylinder and a sealing lip in contact with the head of the tank.

8. A compression sprayer as set forth in claim 5, in which said locking clip has circumferentially spaced i-nturned tianges provided with its lsaid camming surfaces and said cam plate has a base received and retained in said pump cylinder and provided thereabove with its said alternate camming surfaces and lateral projections extending radially outward in circumferentially spaced relation, the camming surfaces on said locking clip and the alternate camming surfaces and lateral projections on said cam plate are so spaced apart that said rotatable cam plate cannot be released from operative position until any remaining air pressure in the tank is relieved.

9. A compression sprayer having a tank for receiving a spray solution to be dispensed, a discharge tube projecting through an opening in the tank and a pump for generating air pressure in the tank for dispensing the spray solution through said discharge tube, a resilient sealing grommet encompassing and sealing the discharge tube in the opening through which it projects into the bottom of the tank, said sealing grommet having an elongated body provided with a longitudinal bore conformably receiving and retaining said tube, the outer surface of said grommet having a downwardly and outwardly tapering contour extending to an enlargement and therebelow tapering inwardly and downwardly to provide a relatively thin sealing lip, and an enlarged collar at the upper end of the grommet above the opening in the tank having a plurality of spaced projections depending from its lower surface, said collar when depressed releasing the grommet from sealing engagement with the discharge tube and relieving pressure in the tank.

10. A compression sprayer having a tank for spray solution provided with a ll opening and a removable pump assembly for generating air pressure in the tank for dispensing the spray solution, said pump assembly having a cylinder received in said iill opening and having a peripheral ange at its upper end, a sealing gasket encompassing said fill opening and upon which the flange is seated, a locking clip secured to said tank and encompassing the ill opening with said locking clip having upstanding circumferentially spaced camming surfaces, and a cam plate having a central depending portion extending into and retained in fthe upper end of the pump cylinder, a plurality of equally spaced radially extending flanges above said central portion for engaging and retaining the gasket, and a plurality of equally spaced camming surfaces disposed above and alternately with said flanges and having camming engagement with the camming surfaces on said locking clip.

11. A compression sprayer having a tank for spray solution with said rtank having a lill opening defined by an annular flange, an annular locking clip anchored to said annular ange and provided with equally spaced upstanding projections each having an arcuate inturned flange providing an inclined camming surface, a gasket having an outwardly opening annular groove for conformably receiving and retaining the gasket on said flange, a pump assembly detachably mounted in said till opening for generating air pressure in the tank and including a pump cylinder depending into the tank, said pump cylinder having an external flange seated upon said gasket, and a cam plate having a depending central cylindrical projection extending into and retained in the upper end of the pump cylinder, equally spaced laterally projecting flanges spaced vertically above said central projection adapted to forcibly engage 'the flange on the pump cylinder and the upper surface of the gasket, and equally spaced camming members disposed above and alternating with said flanges and having camming engagement with the flanges on said locking clip.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,182,452 Bucklin May 9, 1916 2,723,056 Smith Nov. 8, 1955 2,769,580 Hudson et al Nov. 6, 1956 

1. A COMPRESSION SPRAYER HAVING A TANK FOR CONTAINING A SPRAY SOLUTION TO BE DISPENSED AND A PUMP FOR GENERATING AIR PRESSURE IN THE TANK, A DISCHARGE TUBE PROJECTING THROUGH AN OPENING IN THE HEAD OF THE TANK TO ADJACENT THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK, AND A GROMMET FOR EFFECTIVELY SEALING THE DISCHARGE TUBE IN THE TANK AND SO CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED AS TO PROVIDE AN INNER SEAL WITHIN AND SUBJECTED TO THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TANK, SAID GROMMET HAVING AN ELONGATED BODY PORTION PROVIDED WITH A LONGITUDINAL INTERNAL BORE CONFORMABLY RECEIVING AND RETAINING THE DISCHARGE TUBE AND A DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY TAPERED EXTERNAL SURFACE FOR EFFECTING TIGHT SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ENCOMPASSING PORTION OF THE HEAD OF THE TANK DEFINING SAID OPENING WHEN SUBJECTED TO THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TANK. 